Golden Gloves have been the leading local DJs in London, Ontario’s emerging electronic music scene over the course of almost a year and half. They’ve also become staple local DJs in the city of Toronto. One of the artists who got an official release for the SalaciousSound Remix Compeition Panther EP and the producers behind my favorite Hold the Line remix, this duo is poised for bigger and better things in 2010. With out further ado, here is what Ben had to say about music in 2009

_____________________

Thinking back on an entire year of music and shows is definitely a trip. Going through my iTunes library and Serato crates, every track takes me back to some ridiculous moment and makes me think of all the raging jams that took place over the year. Here’s a list of 10 of my favourite tracks of 2009, in no particular order….

Malente – I Like It (Riva Starr Snatch! Mix)

The most recent track on this list, but no doubt, probably my favourite of all of them. Riva Starr has been consistently killing it this year, with not a single release that I don’t love. There is not a dancefloor out there that can resist vibing to this tech-disco-house masterpiece.

Swedish House Mafia & Laidback Luke – Leave The World Behind

Back in March I went down to Miami for WMC, and this track was THE soundtrack for the trip. An insane 4 days of seeing some of the top names in house music all climaxed with an unforgettable set from Swedish House Mafia at Mansion (once again, big ups to Frank Holmes). I still get goosebumps and sketchy flashbacks when I hear this song.

Mansion – Gasaida

What can I even say about this track? So proud that this came out of Toronto, and brings me back to the summer every time I hear it. Jamming out at Wrongbar on the couches or on repeat at Kev’s cottage on the boat. Mansion’s full and stab-tastic production with Cedric’s unbelievable vocals gives me an instant warm, happy, gooey feeling inside.

Wolfgang Gartner – Latin Fever

Wolfgang is one of my top producers out there right now. The guy is retardledly versatile, spanning across so many different genres, and killing it with both mainstream and underground dancefloors. Woflgang’s latin-infused heavy, deep, exploration into tech-house definitely got me hooked and continues to be a go-to bomb in my sets. And I know my boy JR already said it, but those chopped up breaks before the drop…WTF…how do you do that?

Boy 8-Bit – Baltic Pine

This is one of what i feel to be the most creative tracks of 2009. When I first heard it in Fake Blood’s essential mix (another fave of 2009) I was fucking blown away. The Jack-in-the-box style melody mixed with the amazingly timed percussion, a bass that sounds like the Aflac duck, and some Klezmer horns… this track is just so different from anything else I heard all year. For anyone who saw Boy 8-Bit at Tattoo over the summer knows I’m probably one of the only people to ever crowd surf to this song.

Calvin Harris – I’m Not Alone

2009 has been a massive year fro Calvin Harris, and this track was one my favourites from him, sparking some amazing remixes as well from the likes of Deadmau5 and Doorly. The biggest, raviest, happiest synth shots with unbelievably catchy yet meaningful lyrics make this song a an amazing club track and one to just listen to in your bedroom.

Deadmau5 & Kaskade – I Remember (Caspa Remix)

Well it wouldn’t be a 2009 list without some dubstep, and we saw a lot of it this year as the rising genre keeps getting bigger. I’ve been a firm supporter for a while and never scared to drop it in my sets, especially if LeKush is around. Caspa’s MASSIVE take on Deadmau5’s vocal-house classic was definitely a favourite in any and every set it was dropped. Smooth vocals over a heavy, deep, wobbling bass is perfection.

SonicC – Stickin’

What happens when you mix B-more, dutch house, a 17 year old from Miami, and one of the biggest build-ups of 2009? Stickin. This track deserves its credit, being played by practically every big DJ across the globe and NEVER failing to absolutely smash the crowd. Sure, we’re a little tired of it right now, but it’s a best of the year list, not best of all time.

Float My Boat – Lazy Jay

DUTCH DUTCH DUTCH. Too much dutch? No, not enough dutch. 2009 saw the incredibly massive rise of Dutch house and Float My Boat undoubtedly had a big hand in sparking that. Again, I first heard this track in Fake Blood’s essential mix and couldn’t get it out of my head. Afro-beat, crazy horn sample, and a spooky, dark buildup sum up Lazy Jay’s hybrid style which hasn’t really gotten the credit it deserves, as he put out a ton of other consistently crazy tracks this year.

Duck Sauce – aNYway

And finally, one the best tracks of the summer…making its way into practically every dj’s set at Time Festival and providing that happy-go lucky vibe that you need in a summer track. Armand and A-Trak’s disco revival sample based product came in and grabbed the scene by the balls, getting everybody to start dropping and producing more sample based funky ass disco shit.

HONORABLE MENTION:

DJ Gant-Man – Juke Dat Girl

This booty-bass monster makes me smile and want to do sleazy things in a night club. It’s been my ringtone for like 2 months and I like to mix it over practically everything. FROM THE BACK!!!